I think it is necessary to direct my readers' attention... to [Scipio's] moral and mental qualities. For as he is perhaps the most illustrious man of any born before the present generation, everybody seeks to know what kind of man he was... Now all other writers represent him as a man favoured by fortune.... They do not seem to be aware of the distinction between credit for good fortune and credit for good conduct. 

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 10.2. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

He told me that the first brilliant exploit of [Scipio] was when his father fought the cavalry engagement with Hannibal near [Cannae]. He was, then, as it seems, 18 years old and on his first campaign... When, in the course of the battle, he saw his father surrounded by the enemy, with only two or three horsemen near him, and dangerously wounded, he first tried to cheer on his own squadron.... [and then] he appears to have plunged by himself with reckless courage into the midst of the enemy... [Scipio] gained an acknowledged reputation for bravery by this exploit. 

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 10.3. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

[Scipio's] boldness, as well as his previous popularity, secured him a brilliant reception from the people. When he advanced to the spot assigned for candidates, and took his place next to his brother, the people not only voted him into office, but his brother too! ... There was no dream at all: Scipio was kind, open-handed, and courteous.

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 10.5. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

If [it is] true that no one doubts that the Roman people have surpassed all other nations in valour, it must be admitted that Hannibal excelled all other commanders in skill, as much as the Roman people are superior to all nations in bravery. 

Source: Cornelius Nepos. Second century BCE. Life of Illustrious Men, 1.1. (Translated by J. Thomas, 1995. Iowa State University: United States.) [Accessed online via Archive: http://web.archive.org/web/20040803204542/http://129.186.40.170/THOMAS/netscape/hannibal.htm.] 

From the remaining captives, he selected the strongest, those who were in the prime of their youth and strength, and assigned them to serve on board [his] ship. Thus, he increased the number of his allies by half; he manned the ships taken from his enemy as well as his own... To the captives, he also promised their freedom, if they showed themselves loyal and enthusiastic, as soon as they conquered Carthage. By this treatment of the captives, he inspired the citizens with warm feelings of loyalty and faithfulness, and the captives a readiness to serve, because he gave them hope for freedom. 

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 10.5. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

All arrangements for the battle were now complete. The two opposing forces of Numidian cavlary had been engaged in skirmish attacks against one another for some time. Hannibal gave word to the men on elephants to charge the enemy. But, as they heard the horns and trumpets braying all around them, some of the elephants became unmanageable and rushed back upon the Numidians! ... The rest of the elephants charged the Romans in the spaces between the military units, and while inflicting much damage on the Romans, suffered severely themselves... The Romans [let] them pass harmlessly along, according to Scipio's orders... until they were final driven clear off the field. 

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 15.12. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

[The Romans'] joy therefore knew no bounds. When Scipio came into the city in triumph... they became almost wild in the expression of their thanks to the gods... The triumph concluded, the citizens celebrated games and festivals for several days running with great splendour [and] Scipio, in his magnificent generosity, paid for them all. 

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 17.23. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

An admirable feature in Hannibal's character, and the strongest proof [that he has been] born a ruler of men... is that though he was for seventeen years engaged in actual warfare... he was never made the object of a conspiracy... nor deserted by any of those who had joined him. 

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 23.13. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

Publius Scipio, in the course of an active career, secured so much popularity with the multitude that... he was brought to trial in the manner usual at Rome... [and some] produced many bitter accusations against him. 

Source: Polybius. Second century BCE. Histories, 23.14. (Translated by Evelyn Shuckburgh, 1889. London and New York: Macmillan.) [Accessed online via Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/44126/pg44126-images.html.] 

We may trace a correspondence in the death of these three men, who were each the most illustrious of his nation. For not only did they die about the same time, but not one of the three ended his life in a way worthy of his splendid career. None of them died on his native soil or were buried there... Hannibal was an exile, and betrayed by his host... Though Scipio had not been banished or condemned to death, still, as he did not appear on the day fixed for his trial, he passed upon himself a sentence of banishment, not only for life but even after he was dead. 

Source: Livy. First century BCE. Histories, 39.52. (Translated by Canon Roberts, 1912. London and New York: Loeb Library.) [Accessed online via Perseus: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0144%3Abook%3D39%3Achapter%3D52.]